Puck Drop Preview: 2025-26 Calgary Flames

Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Calgary Flames.

2025-26 Calgary Flames

2024-25 Season

The Calgary Flames entered last season in a state of transition. With virtually a brand new roster compared to the playoff era Flames we knew from years’ past, a relatively new front office and coaching staff, expectations weren’t high, but if you’re a Flames fan or Calgary sports fan to begin with, you’ll know success is always welcomed. Yet, despite the lowered expectations, the Flames found themselves hovering around the playoff bubble. They ended up finishing fourth in the Pacific Division and ninth in the Western Conference with a 41-27-14 record. In the end, falling short of the final wildcard slot in the West.

But their record didn’t fully reflect what this team was capable of. Despite being in the middle of a rebuild, there were sparks of what the Flames could be. However, two themes were prominent throughout their season, inconsistency and development.

The team struggled to string together more than a few wins in a row. However, several young players made meaningful strides. Matthew Coronato and Connor Zary both carved out larger roles for themselves, while Jonathan Huberdeau returned to form to finish second on the team in scoring. The overall outcome of the Flames’ last season was highlighted by above-average goaltending from newcomer Dustin Wolf. Also, defence played beyond its expectations to keep the Flames in games despite their lower offensive prowess.

2025 Offseason

Players Lost

The Flames experienced a fair amount of roster turnover this summer. On the departure side, they parted ways with Jonathan Aspirot, depth forward Martin Frk, veteran winger Anthony Mantha, and backup goalie Dan Vladar to free agency. On the prospect side, Finnish defenceman Joni Jurmo’s contract was placed on waivers and subsequently cleared for termination.

Players Signed

To balance those exits, Calgary made several additions and re-signings aimed at strengthening its depth. Defenceman Kevin Bahl headlines the group, bringing size and stability to the blueline. Bahl signed a six-year extension with the Flames. That was after joining them on a successful campaign following his acquisition from the New Jersey Devils last summer. The Flames also added experienced veterans like Clark Bishop and Joel Hanley. Both of these players provide versatility and depth to the organization.

Up front, Morgan Frost was a notable midseason pickup. One of the assets acquired in the trade that saw Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier go to the Philadelphia Flyers, Frost signed a two-year extension with the Flames and is expected to bring skill and playmaking ability to the middle six. Calgary also secured the futures of several promising young players, including Sam Morton, Rory Kerins, Yan Kuznetsov, Jeremie Poirier, and Martin Pospisil, ensuring that the development pipeline remains strong.

Who is likely to be one of the greatest rising stars the Flames have had since the late Johnny Gaudreau?

Zayne Parekh has risen as one of the most electrifying junior defencemen in recent memory. Parekh will likely be given every opportunity to make the jump to the NHL and bring some offensive power to the Flames’ blueline. Another key prospect who earned a contract extension is Morton, who turned heads during training camp and could push for games this year as well. Samuel Honzek, Calgary’s first-round pick in 2023, continues to progress and remains central to the team’s long-term offensive outlook. Together, this crop of talent signals a shift in Calgary’s identity toward a younger, faster, and more dynamic roster.

Lineup Projections

Forwards

LW	C	RW
Joathan Huberdeau	Nazem Kadri	Matthew Coronato
Connor Zary	Mikael Backlund	Blake Coleman
Yegor Sharangovich	Morgan Frost	Joel Farabee
Ryan Lomberg	Martin Pospisil	Adam Klapka

Top Six

Top Line: Huberdeau-Kadri-Coronato

If Huberdeau finds his game and Coronato blossoms, the Flames suddenly have a dangerous scoring trio.

This line is a combination of both experience and progress. Huberdeau is still searching for the kind of chemistry and confidence that made him a 115-point winger in Florida, and he appears to be meshing well with Kadri, who is a centre who thrives on tempo and driving the middle of the ice. Kadri’s playmaking isn’t necessarily elite-level, but his ability to win puck battles and push the pace creates the space Huberdeau needs to be effective.

Putting Coronato on the other side of the ice makes this line a legitimate offensive danger for opposing teams. While Zary was often seen on this line last season, Coronato is coming off a promising rookie season, and he brings the youthful finishing touch this line badly needs. If he continues trending upward and growing on this line with these two certified champions, Calgary finally has the makings of a credible first line that can both score and dictate play.

The challenge? Kadri and Huberdeau have had streaky stretches, so Coronato may end up being the spark that determines whether this line is consistently dangerous or just streaky.

Second Line: Zary-Backlund-Coleman

The Backlund–Coleman pairing remains one of the best defensive duos in the league, and with Zary’s offensive instincts, it’s not just a shutdown unit but also a transition threat.

This is a classic “identity line” with a modern twist. Backlund has been Calgary’s steadying offensive-defensive force for over a decade, and he still excels at anticipating and shutting down his matchups. Slotting him between Coleman, a reliable two-way winger, and the youthful presence of Zary creates a line that can tilt the ice against anyone.

Coleman and Backlund already have proven chemistry, so the addition of Zary adds a much-needed offensive layer. Zary’s willingness to play all over the ice, including the dirty areas can help to drive play, giving this trio more balance than the traditional “shutdown” second lines we’ve seen from Calgary in the past. If Zary produces at even a middle-six scoring pace, this line could quietly be the Flames’ most effective overall unit.

Bottom Six

Third Line: Sharangovich-Frost-Farabee

The third line is skilled enough to swing games in Calgary’s favour when the top six is bottled up.

This line has legit scoring upside for a third unit. Sharangovich is versatile, can kill penalties, and chip in 20 goals if he’s on. Frost, the newcomer, is a playmaking centre who is still finding his stride in the NHL, but once he does, he will likely move up the Flames’ depth charts as the likes of Coronato and Zary continue developing into the skilled wingers who will help Frost thrive.

Farabee is a bit of a wildcard here. He’s not a typical “third-line grinder”; however, he brings pace and offensive instincts that could make this trio look more like a secondary scoring line. The main caveat here is whether Farabee can regain some of the confidence he seems to have lost, which resulted in his trade from the Flyers to the Flames.

If Frost can elevate his linemates, this group could end up giving Calgary sneaky depth production. This is the kind of line that punishes opponents who can’t match up beyond the top six.

Fourth Line: Lomberg-Pospisil-Klapka

The fourth line brings size, speed, and nastiness. This line is a change-up that gives the Flames an identity shift whenever they roll it out.

The best way to describe this line would be the “chaos line.” Lomberg brings relentless energy and physicality, Pospisil adds edge with a scoring touch, and Klapka is a 6’8” body on the wing who can wear down defenders. They may not put together many goals, but they will definitely wear down their opposition.

The question here isn’t whether they’ll bring intensity, it’s whether they can avoid getting pinned in their own zone. If Pospisil continues to develop his offensive game and Klapka keeps refining his skating, this group could be more than just noise and hits. Either way, their contributions to this team won’t always be on the score sheet; their value will be in their ability to shift the momentum of the game, make their opponents’ lives difficult, and bring back energy into a game with big hits and tough puck battles. And isn’t that the very definition of Calgary Flames hockey?

Defence

LD	RD
Kevin Bahl	Rasmus Andersson
MacKenzie Weegar	Zayne Parekh
Jake Bean/Joel Hanley	Daniil Miromanov/Brayden Pachal

Top Four / Bottom Pair

Top Pairing: Bahl-Andersson

This pairing is all about balance and experience. Bahl brings size and a defensive-first mindset. He’s not flashy, but his reach, physicality, and ability to clear the crease allow Andersson to lean into his puck-moving strengths. Despite the trade rumours, Andersson remains Calgary’s most reliable all-situations defender, capable of logging over 23 minutes per night while quarterbacking the power play.

If Bahl settles in as the stay-at-home anchor, Andersson should have the freedom to play a cleaner transition game and push play up ice. Think of this duo as the stabilizing foundation of the Flames’ blue line.

Second Pairing: Weegar-Parekh

The high-upside, game-changing duo if Parekh hits the ground running.

Parekh is more than capable of starting the season with the big club this season. He’s outgrown the OHL and looks prepared to take in whatever the Flames can throw him into, but with a vet like MacKenzie Weegar as his defensive partner, Parekh has the opportunity to be mentored by an experienced Flames’ defensive core. Weegar was Calgary’s most consistent defenceman last season, durable, competitive, and capable of playing both sides of the ice.

With Parekh’s junior career headlined with offensive upside, and with Weegar beside him, he has the perfect partner to cover defensively while he learns the NHL game. Expect this duo to be heavily used in offensive zone starts and power-play opportunities. If Parekh adapts quickly, this could become one of the Flames’ most dangerous weapons.

Bottom Pairing: Hanley/Bean-Miromanov/Pachal

A fluid, flexible situation for the Flames’ coaching staff to play around with based on scouting reports and specific game situations.

This is where the Flames’ depth charts get a bit dicey. Hanley is the steady, veteran presence, not flashy, but responsible, smart with the puck, and trusted to keep things simple in his own zone. Bean, meanwhile, brings more mobility and puck-moving ability, though his health and lack of consistency have been question marks for the coaching staff.

On the other side, Miromanov offers some upside. At 6’4”, he brings size and reach, while offering flashes of offensive capabilities, but if anything, he has been lackluster, never living up to his potential. He’s the kind of player who can surprise in a sheltered role, but that has yet to be seen. Pachal, conversely, is the defensive-minded option, physical, safe, and low-risk.

What this rotation gives the Flames is the ability to tailor their third pairing based on opponent and situation. Against heavier teams, they might lean on Hanley-Pachal for defensive grit. Against faster or more skilled opponents, Bean-Miromanov could provide puck-moving and transition support.

Goalies

It’s the year of the Wolf: For the first time in years, the Flames’ goaltending situation feels like it has direction.

Starter	Backup	Depth
Dustin Wolf	Ivan Prosvetov	Devin Cooley

After proving last season that his AHL dominance could translate to the NHL and putting together a Calder-worthy season, Wolf enters the season as Calgary’s clear starter. His agility, anticipation, and ability to track pucks through traffic make him special — even if his 6-foot frame is smaller than most modern starters. What stands out most is his consistency; Wolf rarely looks rattled, even under heavy fire, reminiscent of Flames’ legend: Miikka Kipursoff.

The Flames will lean heavily on him, and it’s fair to expect a workload in the 55–60 game range. If he holds steady around a .910 save percentage and keeps stealing games with timely saves, he’ll give Calgary a chance to stay in the playoff hunt no matter what happens in front of him.

Backup: Prosvetov or  Cooley

With the departure of Dan Vladar, the backup spot is a genuine competition. Prosvetov has NHL experience and a bigger frame, which gives him a different look than Wolf. At his best, he can be a calming, low-maintenance option, but consistency has always been the question.

Cooley, meanwhile, is more of an underdog story. He’s bounced around in the minors but showed flashes of reliability when the situation called for him. His margin for error is slimmer than Prosvetov’s, but if he can string together strong preseason performances, he could force his way into the backup role.

But it’s important to remember the backup role is not only performing when their name is called, it’s the ability to provide support to Wolf in those rare circumstances where he does get rattled. It’ll be a bit of a testing ground for the first few weeks of the season to see who Wolf vibes best and can nail down the goaltending anchor role for the Flames.

Players to Watch

Dustin Wolf – The Flames’ long-term goaltending question finally has an answer, and it’s Dustin Wolf. After years of dominating the AHL, Wolf made the jump last season and proved he could handle the NHL like a veteran. He’s already embraced Calgary as a second home, so if the Flames can continue to build around him, the team can revel in the success for years to come, but if he starts to falter, the team’s playoff hopes could fade quickly.

Zayne Parekh – Similarly, Parekh steps into a situation where all eyes are on him. Few prospects have generated as much buzz as him, and this season might be his official coming-out party. If Parekh adjusts quickly, Calgary could have a future star anchoring their defence.

Prediction for 2025-26 Flames

The Flames are entering what could be a pivotal “bridge year,” a season that could define the direction of the team for years to come. While they aren’t necessarily a playoff contender, they are more than capable of competing for a Western Conference wild-card spot like they did last year. There’s no need for them to go into the draft with a high lottery pick as their prospect pantry seems well-stocked with promising young players who just need time and care to develop into main-team talent. The results of the season will heavily rely on a promising young core: Dustin Wolf in goal provides stability and elite upside, Matthew Coronato continues to emerge as a top-line scorer, Connor Zary is poised to take the next step offensively, and Jonathan Huberdeau brings veteran playmaking and leadership to the top line.

On the blue line, the emergence of Zayne Parekh and other young defenders adds a crucial layer of depth, giving the Flames both flexibility and potential game-changing talent. Offensively, the team can rely on a mixture of skilled veterans and high-upside youth, while defensively, there is enough experience and emerging talent to keep the team competitive night to night. Calgary also maintains some reasonable cap flexibility, particularly if Nazem Kadri is dealt, which could allow for midseason adjustments or future acquisitions.

If the core stays healthy and the young players deliver consistent production, the Flames are likely to finish somewhere in the 8th–10th range in the Western Conference, hovering on the playoff bubble. A full rebuild remains unnecessary at this point as one is fully in effect and trending upwards, but the trajectory is cautiously optimistic: this season could be the bridge between years of transition and a return to consistent postseason relevance.